BWI Supports the General Strike in Morocco

05 April 2016 08:20

Hundreds of thousands of workers and all major trade union confederations in Morocco held a nation wide general strike against the government’s move to increase the retirement age and reform the pension system without any dialogue with the unions. The turnout was huge with nearly 85 per cent participation in all regions of the country.

”The Moroccan government should promote and be thankful of the strong
trade union movement in the country. They need them to improve both
living and working conditions for the people. Without social dialogue
the country risk falling even deeper into poverty, unemployment and
instability,” said Ambet Yuson, general secretary of the BWI.

While the working and living conditions in Morocco continue to fall, the
government had shown no dedication in acting to improve workers’ wages,
taxation, pensions and labour legislation. Violations and disruption of
workers’ rights, such as the right to unionize has also increased the
last couple of years.

While union activists and leaders have made big efforts to engage in
social dialogue in the development of existing legislation – the
national government continues to act in a unilateral manner, forcing
onto workers’ certain regulations, rules and working conditions.

”Decisions that effect the lives of millions of workers need to be taken
only after serious dialogue between national government and the
workers’ representatives, said Ambet Yuson, General Secretary of the BWI
in expressing his full and unlimited support of the striking workers in
Morocco.